In a bid to evaluate the functioning of the subordinate judiciary, judges of the Delhi High Court made surprise visits to district courts in the capital on the morning of August 31, according to a report by The Bar and Bench.

The task force was headed by acting Chief Justice of Delhi High Court Gita Mittal and they paid a surprise visit to the Patiala House court complex. Similar inspection visits were carried out by other judges of the High Court. Justice Ravindra Bhat visited the Tis Hazari complex whereas Justice Sanjeev Khanna showed up at the Rohini courts. Justice GS Sistani went to Kakardooma and Justice S Muralidhar went to Saket. Justice Vipin Sanghi paid a visit to the Dwarka courts.

The inspections were conducted in order to keep a tab on the judges of the district courts. Reportedly, a large number of judges used to come late to the courts. Judicial officers were found to be arriving post 10.30 AM, beyond the regular stipulated time of 10.00 AM.

A list of the late comers have been drawn and strict action is expected to be taken against the defaulters. In the past few months, the Delhi High Court has taken a strict stance on laxity and misconduct in the subordinate judiciary.

Earlier this month, the Delhi High Court decided to retire Additional Sessions Judge Raj Kapoor at the age of 58, thereby not extending his tenure for two years, as reported by DNA. This decision was taken by the full court headed by Mittal J. Kapoor, who was posted in Patiala House Court, is the judge who granted interim bail to Unitech promoters Sanjay Chandra and Ajay Chandra in a fraud case. Just after he granted the bail, he was transferred to Tis Hazari Court.

These inspections also come after Nitesh Gupta was similarly made to demit office. He was supposed to take charge as Metropolitan Magistrate in Tis Hazari Court. Gupta was retired after he failed to provide an explanation with respect to interest-free loans of Rs. 5.73 crore taken by him. Nitesh Gupta is the son of sitting Meghalaya High Court Judge, Justice VP Vaish. Vaish earlier was a judge of the Delhi High Court. The decision to terminate him was taken at a Full Court meeting by the Delhi High Court led by Acting Chief Justice Gita Mittal.

The Delhi High Court led by Acting Chief Justice Gita Mittal and Justices S Ravindra Bhatt and Sanjiv Khanna have launched a strong drive against corruption in Delhi judiciary. The Logical Indian applauds the measures taken by the Delhi High Court in conducting inspection visits at district level courts. This comes across as a very strong message to the judiciary officials. Such measures help in ensuring that punctuality is maintained in the court of law.

Kerala IAS Officer Sets Example, Issues Notice To Himself For Coming Late To Office

Partner Story

Even at 76, Pradip Burman, the zestful chairman of Mobius Foundation radiates a contagious enthusiasm when he is talking about sustainability. The environmental crusader, better known to many as the great-grandson of Dabur founder Dr S.K.Burman, has devoted substantial attention towards promoting the concept of sustainability in all aspects of life. He refuses to conform to the convenience and comfort in today’s world which ultimately adds on to the adverse effects of climate change.

Talking to The Logical Indian, Burman emphasised why sustainability as a concept is indispensable for us. “We ought to be aware of what lies ahead of us. Soon we will finish the oil, iron, tin, and coal, and our next generations will be left with nothing. Recycling, banning plastics, stop felling trees for paper… This should become a part of everyone’s lifestyle,” he urges.

Mr Burman watering a sapling at the tree plantation drive organised by his non-profit Mobius Foundation

Traditional wisdom and modern research

A mechanical engineer from Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), USA, Burman had always nurtured a keen interest in helping the society, as evident from his graduation project of designing a sonic aid for the visually challenged, which detected obstacles in the way using ultrasonic wave signals.

As an executive for the nature-centric company Dabur, Burman has always opted for natural alternatives to solve his everyday problems like taking Ayurvedic medicine to cure his Arthritis. He later launched the veterinary wing for Dabur – Ayurvet – which provides nature-friendly solutions for animal health care.

A patron of the ancient scientific wisdom of India, Burman always hailed the confluence of “traditional knowledge and modern research”, which he advocated as the Ayurvet motto.

Ayurvet is one of the best ventures by Mr Burman

As part of the CSR initiative of Dabur, Pradip Burman founded SUNDESH (Sustainable Development Society) which has been tirelessly working for last 25 years in remote villages for uplifting the rural communities in an environmentally sustainable way.

An advocate of sustainability

Burman believes that sustainability is the indispensable mantra for the world at present. Due to uncontrolled utilisation of the planet’s resources by human beings, the world today stands at a juncture of destabilisation. Today the human race has reached the pinnacle of progress but the advancement is happening in a very unsustainable manner.

Through energy-efficient use of everyday essentials like transport, communication, altered habits of diet, clothing and daily living, some crusaders of sustainability try to reduce their carbon footprint. Pradip Burman’s Mobius Foundation is one of the forerunners toward sustainability goals.

Mobius Foundation aims to change the sustainability dynamics

In 2015, Burman paved the way for the start of Mobius Foundation, focused on sustainability. Named after 18th-century German mathematician August Ferdinand Mobius, the famous Mobius strip has an important philosophical significance. The extraordinary shape symbolises balance and union.

Similar is the essence of Mobius Foundation which wishes to enhance the “Reduce, Reuse, Recycle” principle to a widespread basis in India, helping generations to come.

Founder Pradip Burman wishes to achieve notable development in education, population stabilisation and renewable energy projects.

A dream school in the making

At Coorg, Pradip Burman’s Mobius Foundation is constructing the World Environment School, Coorg (WESc) where the curriculum will surpass the boundaries of books and classrooms, with a special focus on hands-on learning in close collaboration with the environment. Amidst the pristine natural beauty of Coorg, the school will nurture young minds to grow up into future green leaders. As of now, the school will be open to teenagers, welcoming students from standards 6 to 12.

Needless to say, World Environment School will be the first-of-its-kind not only in India but also in entire South Asia. The school is expected to start from March 2020.

The school promises to nurture the responsible behaviour of citizens of our future.

The Sustainability Conference of 2019

In 2019, the Mobius Foundation has planned an international conference, on the lines of the celebrated earth summits over the past decade. The 2019 International Conference on Sustainability Education (ICSE 2019) aims to bring together environmental activists, practitioners of sustainable development as well as climate change experts to help develop a sustainability-focused curriculum.

It is surmised that the conference will give a platform to innovative concepts of Sustainability Education including an essential change in the existing education system ensuring a wholesome personal development for a student.

The Sustainability crusader

The Mobius founder strongly believes that it is high time to sprout sustainability awareness among a society drowning in consumerism and unknowingly doing irreparable harm to the planet, every second. The best way to achieve this goal is through education which is available to all. At present, the education system is predominantly career-oriented, making the learners a victim of materialism, and thus, their dreams are also outlined in those colours.

Living beyond the limits

When asked about his wish to attain the age of hundred, he strongly asserts that more than becoming a centurion, he wishes his life and work continue to better the society even in his absence. “I have lived my life. I wish that whatever I start before I go, will continue – for the betterment of my country,” says Mr Pradip Burman.

He is also a trustee of the Climate Reality Project – India (affiliated to Mr. Al Gore of the Climate Reality Project Foundation, USA). Climate Reality Project, India, has been actively engaged igniting the spark and spreading the message of climate change amongst educators, policy makers and civil society. The India branch looks after more than 500 trained Climate Leaders, and more than 900 volunteers spread all over the country.

In his journey, Pradip Burman has been a beacon of hope for millions, motivating many to join the movement for sustainability. We wish he continues his tireless efforts for promoting sustainability awareness and inspire generations to come.